Dear Parishioners

Today, we begin the beautiful season of Advent. Did you know that the word “Advent” means “coming?” The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a time of prayer and fasting in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

It is during Advent time that we cry out in prayer to the Lord to hear us and to come and be with us, to come as our Shepherd, to come with might, to come to our help, to bring us out of darkness, sin and selfishness into His life of love and reconciliation. As Christians we that the Lord is With Us, in the mysteries of our faith, in the mystery of the Church, in the Christian love of our lives, in His Word, in the sacraments, in our personal relationship with of faith and love, faith and hope with the Lord.

Advent time then, then, is the invitation to all of us for a new discovery of God and for the strengthening of our loving and hope filled faith relationship with God. These special times come only once a year. It takes time and quietness to experience Him. The Lord wants to be with us; his loving presence will lead to our loving Him. Our relationship of love will lead us away from sin and division towards peace and goodness.

At the exits you will find a very special booklet “Hail Mary Full of Grace” from the Word among us. These meditations are meant first of all for your personal use but you might also use them with your family. They will help you to experience God and His love; God’s love, in turn, will make you strong and faithful, what a blessing!

May this season of Advent be for all of us the season it is meant to be!

ADVENT PRAYER
Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.